Can they keep your kid out of school for worms?

[ecki]

Kayla has roundworms and her preschool won't let her back until she's cerified worm free. I'm a bit annoyed because it's not like lice -- they aren't jumping around or anything. They can only be transmitted by feces. She's not potty trained, but the staff wears gloves and are very thorough with sanitizing everything during diaper changes. So I think it's more of an "ick" factor than any actual health hazard. She'll be out for at least 3 weeks (actually 2 plus spring break) and be missing out on all her therapies.

 

[karliebug]

I work in an elementary school and am pretty sure this is considered a contaigous thing, particulary if there is diaper changing involved. Is there any possiblity she can receive her therapy at home during this time?

 

[creativeamanda]

Since she can't be at school and the school sent her home, you can either: 1. ask that she receive her services at home or 2. ask for compensatory services. Unfortunately, worms are somewhat contagious and because they have to change her, etc., the school can make the call to state she can't attend. Also, since she is in a classroom with preschoolers, it is likely the other kids would have it. Check out this website: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/children/parents/common/stomach/139.html

 

[SueM in MN]

Yes.
How long would probably depend on your state and you could contact your county or state health department to check.
It is a contageous disease and since she is diapered, there is potential for it to be spread to others. The requirement might be that she has begun treatment, completed treatment, or tested negative after treatment. That would depend on the state and the licensing rules for preschool.
If she is attending preschool thru the school district because of her special needs, she could get some home based services thru the school district. If it is a private preschool that she attends after her school services, they are not required to provide any services.
She could have gotten it from other people, from a dog/puppy or cat/kitten, from playing in contaminated soil or sand.
Here's a factsheet on roundworms from the National Institutes of Health to go along with the information already posted.

 

[seashoreCM]

For some species the eggs are very small, perhaps the size of the nits of lice or the size of grains of sand. Someone else accidentally ingesting the eggs could get infested.

With more of an awareness of worms nowadays, it's a wonder why playground sandboxes have not become passe'. Animals "love" to "go" in them especially at night.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

Sorry but even with all the precautions that are taken during diaper changes, it can still happen that feces end up in places they shouldn't. Diapers can and do leak and it only takes it happening once for things to spread. I have worked in a preschool for 9 years now and even I can't always get a kiddo changed before they sit down and things squish out. It's gross, but it is part of teaching kids in diapers(now I have only had one kid "paint" with it while I was changing another, why do they always go at the same time) The school is trying to protect everyone, I'm sorry this is causing problems for you but it really is necessary to limit the spread.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

For some species the eggs are very small, perhaps the size of the nits of lice or the size of grains of sand. Someone else accidentally ingesting the eggs would get an infestation.

With more of an awareness of worms nowadays, it's a wonder why playground sandboxes have not become passe'. Animals "love" to "go" in them especially at night.

Disney hints: http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Yup, sandboxes are gross. We got rid of ours this year and instead have nice deep tables for the sand that get covered tightly at the end of the day.

 

[ecki]

Thanks everyone for their input. I guess it's better than she stays home -- even though she's driving me crazy, LOL! She won't do any "work" for me, she just wants to wander around the house with her musical flashing toys!

I'm actually surprised she hasn't gotten worms sooner. One of her autistic traits is licking everything in sight -- and her favorite is the bottoms of her shoes. Blech!

 

[Ms_Butterfly]

Have you tried spraying a bitter spray on the things, like her shoes, that she likes to lick? I know some Autistic kids actually LIKE the taste of that, so it wouldn't help if she's like that, but if she can't stand it, it may help her not lick such nasty/infested things. (You can purchase a spray or make up your own - the latter is good if you already know there is some particular taste she can't stand that would be able to be made a non-staining spray out of.)

 

[swimlib]

I know it is a pain, but the reason the school asked you to keep her home is to protect the other students and staff. When I worked in a apecial needs school, we had 1 kid come in with ringworm and at least 5 staff got it. Mind you, the ringworm was on the kids leg and we got it from him touching the rash and then us. But things like worms can really hurt a workplace.

I agree with asking for services at home. Your school may be able to work things out with the therapists, especially since they wouldn't be doing diaper changes.

 

[ecki]

The ironic thing about this is that Kayla has taken a HUGE leap in development since being home for the past two weeks. As I was leaving to walk my older daughter to the bus stop this morning, Kayla walked over to the stairs, waved and said something that sounded like goodbye! She's autistic and nonverbal, usually she doesn't even care that we exist! And then her musical flashing toy's batteries were running low so she brought it to my DH and said "fix". My eyeballs almost popped out of my head!!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

The ironic thing about this is that Kayla has taken a HUGE leap in development since being home for the past two weeks. As I was leaving to walk my older daughter to the bus stop this morning, Kayla walked over to the stairs, waved and said something that sounded like goodbye! She's autistic and nonverbal, usually she doesn't even care that we exist! And then her musical flashing toy's batteries were running low so she brought it to my DH and said "fix". My eyeballs almost popped out of my head!!

I work in a special needs preschool. We've noticed that sometimes a change in routine or environment is a positive thing for a child. Kids have come back from winter or spring break and suddenly have new words or behaviors that we'd been working on for months. It's almost like the break gives them time to process what they've been hearing over and over in class and they suddenly pop out with it. It's great! We've seen other kids regress or start some not-so-desirable behaviors when they return to school. I'm glad it's been a positive experience for your daughter!